Malcolm Jenkins will continue to raise his fist during national anthem

Decorated Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcom Jenkins confirmed with ESPN’s Tim McManus that he will continue to raise his fist during the national anthem as a form of protest.

In a written statement to ESPN, Jenkins, 29, voiced his decision to continue raising his fist during the anthem as a “sign of solidarity to support people, especially people of color, who were and are still unjustly losing their lives at the hands of officers with little to no consequence.”

At the very least, unlike Kaepernick, Jenkins has at least made some sort of attempt to expand his understanding of the situation.

“After spending time with police officers on ride-alongs, meeting with politicians on the state and federal level and grass roots organizations fighting for human rights, it’s clear that our criminal justice system is still crippling communities of color through mass incarceration,” wrote Jenkins.

Advertisement - story continues below

“With the new call for a war on crime and drugs, the disproportionate oppression of poor communities and communities of color will continue unless legislative efforts and community engagement are made a priority,” he said.

“I’ve seen signs of life with regards to bipartisan support for criminal justice reform, but the support does not reflect the necessary urgency for real reform. This must be made a priority,” Jenkins continued.

The Eagles safety began raising his fist during the national anthem in Week 2 of the NFL regular season last year. He was joined by several teammates throughout the year.

Jenkins chose not to raise his fist during Week 1 out of respect to the remembrance of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11.

Trending Stories

There is no indication if any of Jenkins’ teammates will join him this year.

“There are many players across the league who have joined me in working toward new legislation and reestablishing trust and opportunities in our communities, and you can expect to see much more of that,” Jenkins said, most likely alluding to players like Kaepernick.

“I want to thank the fans across the country who have supported me in this effort to fight for equality and justice. I want to thank those that have dedicated their lives to this fight, as I know that it is not easy. And I want to challenge those who stay silent to be courageous and use your platforms to become part of the solution. God Bless,” he concluded.

Jenkins was a Super Bowl champion with the New Orleans Saints. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler and was second-team All-Pro in 2010. Going into his ninth NFL season, many consider him one of the best safeties in the league.